title: Effects of a nanocomposite containing Orbignya speciosa lipophilic extract on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a common complaint among aging men and are usually caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). A number of medical treatments for LUTS/BPH exist, such as α-blockers, 5α-reductase inhibitors, phytotherapeutical drugs and combination therapies. Babassu is the common name of a Brazilian native palm tree called Orbignya speciosa, whose kernels are commonly used (eaten entirely or as a grounded powder), in parts of Brazil for the treatment of urinary disorders. This study investigates the effects of Orbignya speciosa nanoparticle extract, a newly developed phytotherapic formulation derived from the kernels of babassu, in the treatment of BPH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Orbignya speciosa extract was obtained from the kernels, a nanoparticulate system was developed and acute toxicity test was performed. BPH primary stromal cell and tissue cultures were established and treated with 300μg/mL Orbignya speciosa nanoparticle (NanoOse) extract in order to evaluate its effects on apoptosis induction, cytotoxicity, cell morphology and proliferation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicated that NanoOSE shows no toxicity in animals and acts incisively by promoting morphological cell changes, reducing cell proliferation as well as inducing necrosis/apoptosis on BPH cells and tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided the first report of the successful use of NanoOSE on BPH treatment which corroborates with the popular use of the kernels of this plant. The results also suggest the potential of NanoOSE as a candidate new phytotherapeutic agent on the management of BPH.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pesquisa em Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária-Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro A V Reis
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Leandro M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Valéria Pereira
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Lúcio M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Patrícia D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Takiya
authors.forename: Fábio S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Luiz E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Nasciutti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D028023:Arecaceae; D001938:Brazil; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009336:Necrosis; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012639:Seeds
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts